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Home Improvement

Launched Q&A site for contractors and (serious) DIY'ers

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2  
I edited the audience field... it should only describe the audience; use the example questions to describe the domain – Joel Spolsky May 27 '10 at 14:25
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Why does it have to be (serious) DIY'ers? Why not the weekend warrior, or anyone who wants to DIY? – Alan Jun 12 '10 at 21:09
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if you voted for a question not in the top 5, consider moving your votes to questions in the top 5. – antony.trupe Jun 16 '10 at 13:22
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131 Example Questions (10 closed)

active newest votes
up vote 25 down vote
What are the advantages and disadvantages of spray foam insulation?
added by Kredns May 27 '10 at 3:22
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up vote 25 down vote
My electrical box is full. How can I tell if it's at capacity, or if I can replace single breakers with double breakers?
added by Adam Davis Jun 1 '10 at 3:55
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up vote 20 down vote
What are the different grades of joint compound for, and why are they sometimes watered down?
added by Kyle Cronin Jun 1 '10 at 20:36
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up vote 19 down vote
How to *not* fall off a roof - safety tips, tools, and techniques for roofing?
added by Adam Davis May 27 '10 at 16:39
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Good example of CW question. – Lee Jun 11 '10 at 5:45
need one more vote for this question to move into the commit phase. – antony.trupe Jun 16 '10 at 21:40
up vote 17 down vote
Starting from zero - what essential tools must every DIY'er have in their toolkit?
added by Adam Davis May 27 '10 at 3:58
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Subjective, but the voting system would make this a very good resource question. – Jon Seigel May 27 '10 at 4:30
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Should be community wiki. :) – Niall C. Jun 2 '10 at 2:10
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not great example cause to me, as new home owner this is frankly kind of boring. I don't care what anyone thinks about this. I will just buy what I need when I need it. At which point I want to know something SPECIFIC like "what is the best drill" or "how to buy a drill" – csmba Jun 16 '10 at 20:35
up vote 11 down vote
What's the strongest type of anchor I can use in drywall?
added by Jaydles May 31 '10 at 3:34
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up vote 9 down vote
Is 12ga wire worth the extra expense (over 14ga) in 15A circuits in a residential remodel?
added by Niall C. Jun 5 '10 at 2:15
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up vote 8 down vote
Are 50-year shingles worth the price, versus 25 or 30 year ones?
added by Kyle Cronin Jun 1 '10 at 20:33
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up vote 8 down vote
The water pipes in my house are excessively noisy. What can I do to make them quieter?
added by JYelton Jun 10 '10 at 16:17
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up vote 6 down vote
Finding property lines without expensive survey?
added by Adam Davis May 27 '10 at 4:04
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up vote 5 down vote
Should I insulate my water heater?
added by Troggy May 27 '10 at 5:48
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up vote 4 down vote
Should I get solar for electricity or water heating?
added by Kyle Cronin May 27 '10 at 5:54
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Do you mean, "which purpose should I use solar energy for?" or "should I try for both?" – Shog9 May 27 '10 at 17:40
If you're looking for pure efficiency of solar energy, water heating is the best route. – Artfldodger Jun 9 '10 at 2:23
up vote 4 down vote
How can I hang pictures in a rental property where hooks can't be added to walls?
added by Rog May 27 '10 at 7:01
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Pictures? That might be too easy. Hang a TV? Now that's a worthy challenge – d03boy Jun 10 '10 at 4:45
up vote 4 down vote
What grass should I plant for my semi-shady, northern climate yard?
added by Adam Davis May 27 '10 at 14:50
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Might want to specify where you are: Northern Australia has a slightly different climate than Northern Canada. – Peter K. Jun 5 '10 at 0:46
I guess the issue here is whether landscaping falls under the purview of "Home Improvement" (on-topic), or "Gardening" (off-topic). I personally would lean towards on-topic. – gnovice Jun 5 '10 at 5:42
The yard is part of the home. Unless there is a gardening SE site this should be on topic. – Simurr Jun 6 '10 at 3:25
Gardening and landscaping deserves its own SE site and is too large of a topic to be allocated under Home Improvements I think – d03boy Jun 14 '10 at 3:53
just because there isn't a SE site for a topic doesn't mean other SE site's scope get bloated. As this would probably eventually get asked, its a GOTE. – antony.trupe Jun 16 '10 at 20:39
up vote 4 down vote
How do I fix a patch of hardwood floor that ended up more shiny than the floor around it?
added by richardtallent Jun 3 '10 at 5:57
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up vote 4 down vote
Can a 4-inch vent stack for a downstairs toilet be shared as the vent and sewer line for an upstairs toilet?
added by richardtallent Jun 3 '10 at 5:59
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3  
Depends on local code, so probably should be OT. – bmargulies Jun 5 '10 at 2:09
1  
Not sure it should be off-topic, but there would certainly be more than one answer due to code. – Jeff Yates Jun 9 '10 at 14:13
I think it's on topic, but the answer would be along the lines of "it depends, you'll have to check local codes, here's a way to do that." – Beska Jun 9 '10 at 20:52
up vote 3 down vote
Keeping ants out of the house - Aside from pesticides, what can I do to find and seal points of entry?
added by Adam Davis May 27 '10 at 3:52
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up vote 3 down vote
What's the best paint to use in a bathroom/kitchen where there is a lot of condensation?
added by ChrisF May 27 '10 at 15:31
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up vote 3 down vote
How do I fit an extractor fan over my shower to remove the steam?
added by ChrisF May 28 '10 at 11:45
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up vote 3 down vote
How can I convert a hard wired lighting fixture into a "plug-in"?
added by Jaydles May 28 '10 at 13:39
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up vote 3 down vote
How can I save money on central heating costs?
added by Gelatin Jun 2 '10 at 21:41
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Good topic, but poor question. The question should include information about: their budget; the age, size, and construction of their house; the current furnace type/age/size; and their location. – richardtallent Jun 3 '10 at 5:49
@rich it certainly could include all that without putting it into the subject line. – bmargulies Jun 5 '10 at 2:10
up vote 3 down vote
How can I get Kerdi membrane to properly stick to concrete board?
added by richardtallent Jun 3 '10 at 5:54
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up vote 3 down vote
Is there a good way to reverse chalking paint on plastic shutters? I don't want to strip/repaint them if I don't have to.
added by msemack Jun 4 '10 at 17:34
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up vote 3 down vote
What do I need to run an HDMI cable through an already closed in wall?
added by jschoen Jun 5 '10 at 2:50
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up vote 2 down vote
Introducing kids to home improvement - what simple projects will teach them the most?
added by Adam Davis May 27 '10 at 3:59
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up vote 2 down vote
How to solder/weld copper pipe without burning the #@$% out of yourself or the house?
added by Adam Davis May 27 '10 at 3:59
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up vote 2 down vote
How do I put up shelves with "invisible" brackets.
added by ChrisF May 27 '10 at 10:30
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You know the sort where it looks like the shelf is just coming out of the wall – ChrisF May 27 '10 at 10:31
up vote 2 down vote
What sort of shelving is best to support <x>?
added by ChrisF May 27 '10 at 10:31
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Where <x> is hi-fi, book, CDs etc. – ChrisF May 27 '10 at 10:32
up vote 2 down vote
My roof is leaking. What can I use to fix it?
added by A Thing May 29 '10 at 17:44
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up vote 2 down vote
How do I prepare a wall for tiling?
added by ChrisF May 31 '10 at 18:28
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up vote 2 down vote
What is the difference between thin-set and mortar, and when do you use which?
added by Kyle Cronin Jun 1 '10 at 20:34
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up vote 2 down vote
How do I terminate my Deck stairs when connecting to a concrete pad? (How much needs to connect into the concrete?)
added by Vaccano Jun 1 '10 at 20:42
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up vote 2 down vote
How should I install cork floor tile in a bathroom? (The room also has a stacked laundry with floor drain)
added by richardtallent Jun 3 '10 at 6:03
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up vote 2 down vote
How do I clean out a dryer exhaust vent clogged with lint?
added by Foster Brereton Jun 4 '10 at 4:13
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up vote 2 down vote
Could intermittent low water pressure cause a boiler to occasionally cut-out?
added by sblair Jun 4 '10 at 23:20
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up vote 2 down vote
Can someone explain "three-way" wiring for a hall light fixture in simple terms?
added by JYelton Jun 10 '10 at 16:18
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up vote 2 down vote
How high should I cut my grass?
added by antony.trupe Jun 11 '10 at 17:50
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1  
No higher than the tallest blade. Otherwise, you're just wasting your time. – Shog9 Jun 11 '10 at 18:33
@shog9 good point. – antony.trupe Jun 11 '10 at 18:37
up vote 1 down vote
What is the proper way to sister joists?
added by Kredns May 27 '10 at 3:20
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up vote 1 down vote
How can I fix squeaky floors?
added by Chris W. Rea May 27 '10 at 3:22
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This question title is a little vague. Depending on what the question asked it could go either way. For example, if you actually mean creaky instead of squeaky, it could be on topic, since redoing floors or removing a panel and putting in a replacement is kind of tricky. However if it just asked "My floors squeak when I walk on them?", I would consider this off-topic. – Kredns May 27 '10 at 3:25
6  
The title seems appropriate, but I would certainly expect more detail in the body - type of floor (tongue/groove, laminate, etc. etc.) – Trey Jackson May 27 '10 at 5:48
up vote 1 down vote
Should I use steal or wood for my handrails on a handicap ramp?
added by Kredns May 27 '10 at 3:50
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1  
I think you mean steel – Brad Gilbert Jun 7 '10 at 3:41
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